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Revolutionizing Recruitment: Story is the New Sales Pitch
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
I have been on hundreds of school tours over the years, but one particular tour still stands out to me. The admissions director knew her school incredibly well, and as we walked the campus, she talked almost nonstop. She shared program details, statistics, accomplishments, facilities, and just about everything she thought I needed to know. […]
Why Your School Needs a Word-of-Mouth Marketing Plan
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Whenever I work with a school, one of the questions I want to answer is, “How do families first hear about your school?” After conducting thousands of parent focus groups, surveys, and enrollment assessments over the years, the response is remarkably consistent: word of mouth. A friend tells them about the school. They know a […]
Stop Guessing Why New Families Choose Your School: Ask Them Instead
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
When new families enroll in your school, they bring with them a fresh perspective. They’ve just completed their admissions journey, evaluated other schools, and chosen yours. That moment of decision and the first weeks of school represent a golden opportunity—but it’s a window that closes fast. Right now, new families can tell you exactly why […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Experience Is the New Differentiator
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Two schools may offer strong academics, caring teachers, competitive tuition, attractive facilities, and meaningful opportunities for students. On paper, they may look remarkably similar. Yet a family can leave one campus feeling uncertain and leave another already imagining their child as part of the community. What created the difference? Often, it was not a program, […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment: Relationships Are the New Marketing
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
In thousands of conversations with parents over the years, I have rarely heard someone say, “We chose the school because of its advertising campaign.” Instead, parents talk about people. They remember the admissions director who listened carefully to their concerns, the teacher who stopped in the hallway and spoke directly to their child, the head […]
Revolutionizing Recruitment
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Why the Rules of Recruitment Have Changed Over the past sixteen years, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with more than 500 private schools in 46 states, and a few outside of the U.S. I’ve walked campuses of every size, met with countless leadership teams, interviewed thousands of parents, and observed admissions offices during some […]
Three Schools, Three Enrollment Challenges, One Common Lesson
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Over the past 25 years, I’ve watched Dr. Brian Simmons lead schools through growth, rebuilding, and startup challenges. Along the way, one lesson kept surfacing. One thing I’ve always admired about Brian is his willingness to keep learning. Whether serving as President of ACSI, leading at Columbia International University, or guiding Christian schools through seasons […]
Why Every School Needs an Assessment (Even If Enrollment Is Strong)
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
Summer is one of my favorite times to work with schools. The pace is different. The urgency of daily admissions activities begins to ease, and leadership teams have an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day demands of running a school and think more strategically about the future. Over the years, I’ve noticed there are […]
Every School Leadership Decision Is an Enrollment Decision
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
I recently had a conversation with a school leader who was frustrated by declining enrollment. The school had invested in marketing. They had updated their website. They were working hard to attract new families. Yet enrollment continued to struggle. As we talked, it became clear that the challenge wasn’t primarily marketing-related. It wasn’t about demographics, […]
5 Things Schools Should Do This Summer
- rick.newberry@enrollmentcatalyst.com
- Blog
By the time May ends and June arrives, many admissions and marketing teams are running on fumes. Graduation events are everywhere. Summer projects are piling up. Re-enrollment questions continue rolling in. Everyone is hoping enrollment numbers stabilize before August arrives. I understand. This time of year can feel exhausting for school leaders and enrollment teams. […]
